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How do you feel about the media?

Basically I did an essay a few months back on how the media influences and changes opinions of people. It was quite interesting to do all the research for it, looking into cases which the media overblows.

Last night, I was extremely bored and watched some Britney Spears "For the Record" documentary (If you could call it that), and well basically for those who haven't seen it, it showed that.. she too is a normal person affected by the media and paparazzi. I used to be like, well she bought it upon herself by becoming a child star, and becoming famous. However this show last night, made me change my mind about her. It showed that she is like you and I. I've never been a fan of the paparazzi or the things they do to people. Like Princess Diana amongst others.

The Promo:

http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/287976/f ... id=1599172

The crowds of paparazzi around her hour, her car. She can hardly go anywhere without being followed. She is almost breaking down in tears how she would like to be able to go for walks with her friends, get an icecream with her children etc, and how the paparazzi don't allow her to do so.

What's your view? Watch the promo, or better yet, the hour long documentary and comment, or use prior knowledge to comment.

i think the media focuses too little on the important issues. instead we get the names of famous babies.

Does the American government filter (eg.) CNN News? I know some countries, especially Nazi Germany where Hitler and his National Socialist party would filter the Newspapers etc for any comments which would degrade his government.

Also other examples where the media influences opinions, can be seen if Politics, for example. Showing negative things about John McCain, and only good things about Barack Obama could influence people to vote likewise.

Britney spears makes paparazzi's millions that is why thy follow her..I'm not justifying there actions though.

The people who buy the magazines; make the paparazzi millions of dollars.

just your typical and growing entertainment industry's influence on the media. i mean why wouldn't people want spears and hilton instead of REAL issues. besides the REAL issues, although relevant and important, are too boring.

People who don't have the critical skills to properly take in information from the media aren't important anyways, they will never be important figures in society.

Television media is eh. Some say the government has to much power over it because of the FCC; others argue the FCC is necessary to prevent indecency on the networks. They also regulate what can be said on radios, but to a much lesser degree as of late. As for newspapers; they're 99.99% free of government intervention, but we do have laws against liable. A good measure in my opinion. Overall I think most news outlets in the US are garbage. They either don't actually deliver news or they bullshit the story so much that one google brings up numerous other versions. Then finally you have what I believe most American news networks cover; scandals, car crashes, plane crashes, actors, singers, and movies; boring things imo. I prefer internet sources.

i can't say whether the gov't filters news, but i know that local news stations don't always broadcast world news. for how much TV i watch during the day (i have a tv right next to my computer), i have yet to see quality news broadcasting from the local tv stations. only channels like cnn and pbs (bbc) show relevant world news. I agree that newspapers are where it's at. i used to read them everyday back home, but now that i'm in the dorms, the newspapers don't come knocking at my door =[ Times maagazine is pretty good too. however, internet > all, like always.

I too have a TV next to my Computer which I will generally watch of a late-afternoon when the News and such is on. We have the Local News, followed by the Australian News, which also covered big international events. If that isn't enough, I can always put it to ABC or SBS to watch the official "World News". I find the news in Australia is good, I'd hardly say government filtered, as there is often things which make out Prime Minister look like an idiot, or govt's from other countries (such as Britain or the US). Newspapers cost $1-1.20 from the Corner Shop and are generally local news, but also contains world news. I don't read news on the internet much, generally 'cause I couldn't be bothered to

we all have our problems....its not a big deal who cares if one superstar is depressed

F*ck celebrities. That's what happens when you become rich and famous.

As for the media, yeah it sucks but it's what's on TV.

She brought it upon herself.

Though think about it; what 16 year old girl would not like to be famous for singing. Have all the money in the world etc.

She probably wasn't thinking of the repercussions back when she signed her contract.

There's plenty more talented people out there. If she wanted to become a super star have all this money, but knew the repercussions and still choose to do it. Then it's her fault. I never said anything about ->

I never liked the media no matter how much information they can get. What paparazzis do is just over the top. Everyone has the right to live a private life, and they won't let celebrities have one. They're always disturbing them, trying to catch them doing something wrong (which is natural to everyone) so they can report it, ruin the person's life, and get money from doing so. This doesn't mean there aren't medias who do their job correctly and know how to respect others, but most of them, and especially paparazzis, have no respect for other people.

You might say super stars should be expecting to get this from medias, I tell you wrong. They have the right to have talents, it's not their fault if they just got more lucky than most people. And they have as much rights as we all have, we're all citizens after all.

Yeah how dare she wave her tits around and spread her legs in videos.

I think she knew what she was doing.

The media is full of shit.

emily osment is hot though

pff only for old-mate (open Spoiler)

oh lookie, a cute brown bear, young kids luv those =]

Lol, stupid person here is trying to compare America to Nazi Germany. No, we don't have "government" filters. Whatever gets the most viewers= more ads being viewed on that channel= well, no shit, more money.

*laughs*

Government filters..

Seriously?